The older you get, the quicker time passes!

Well, flippin' heck, don't time fly when you realise you haven't posted anything for a while...a long while; very remiss of me. Life is moving on and the French-Italian Wars project is coming on slowly, so far I have:

2 units of 15 gendarmes
2 units of 48 Landsknecte pike
1 unit of 44 Swiss pike
1 unit of 40 Italian pike
1 unit of 15 Italian mtd knights
1 unit of 30 Italian dis-mtd arquebusiers
1 unit of 30 Spanish Sword and Buckler types
1 unit of 9 Stradiots

Each of the units is made up of 3 40x20mm bases and all are from H&R.

I've also now got about 95% of my WWII Early War British, German and French armies at 1:5 divisional strength but I am holding back on painting them until the French-Italian chaps are finished. This should take me up to the end of the year if everything pans out.
   However...
   About a year ago I was contacted by Stephan at Rapier Miniatures (known as Fredbloggs on the LOA forum) and asked if I had any research on the Mongols for an upcoming range. (Silly man, asking if I had any research on the Mongols.) Anyway, long story much shortened, the other day a package arrived from Rapier and inside were two of their Small Armies of Mongols. They were almost begging me to paint them and seeing how lovely they looked I offered to paint some for his trade stand so here are some taster pics. All are cklickable for a warts-and-all image.

 Army command

 L/MC firing bow

 L/M Cav with lance

 Unit command

 LC/MC loading bow

 Armoured chaps on armoured horses

 As above pianted as keshig

Now of course, I have a slight dilemma, do I carry on painting the Renaissance chaps, change to WW II or think blow it, I'll go with the Mongols. Seeing as I already have a Mongol 6mm army in Irregular I reckon they can wait and I will carry on with my plan for the year. But, if Rapier bring out Russians, Khwarizmians, Polish, Hungarians, Cumani, or Song Chines I might have to re-evaluate my position. 

   One thing that should ber mentioned is that we are going back to Wormhouldt in a couple of months for another break and, knowing me, I will be all fired up (pun unintended) for my Early War project. Enough of this idle chatter, I'd better get a wiggle on with the Rennaisance to get as many done as I can before the hol.

Yet another new period idea.

Now I am a great admirer of World2Dave and his blog especially his 6mm setup.
 http://themedetianwars.blogspot.co.uk/
 Every so often I will have a look at some of his pictures especially the ongoing Imaginations games between his two pseudo-Renaissance countries of Fleurie and Medetia. I have often thought of doing something like this but without being accused of copying so the Renaissance per se was out. Ancients was too much and far too varied because I really fancied something where both sides were not necessarily evenly matched but their equipment and weapons were on a par. Lace Wars, naaawww -too involved; 19th Century, nope -I already had ACW and am working through the FPW. I wanted something that was not too involved or extensive where I could pick it up every now and again and add bits and pieces when I wanted.
    Long story short, I happened across a programme on BBC4 a couple of weeks ago all about the Condottiere of Late Medieval/Early Renaissance in Italy. It wasn't until afterwards I realised I didn't need to invent nations or armies because this period had it all. I could make up factions of my own size and composition -up to a point- who could face off against or fight with each other whenever I wished and they would be as historically accurate as I could make them but with a definite Imaginations style background. Perfick! So now, not only am I researching early WWII but also checking out the Condittiere. As usual I am only looking to do this as a sideshow rather than a major enterprise but in 6mm who knows where it will end.